Portable microfilm camera



Nov. 28, 1961 w. A. PFAFF PORTABLE MICROFILM CAMERA Original Filed Aug.11, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 attorneys Nov. 28, 1961 w, PFAFF PORTABLEMICROFILM CAMERA Original Filed Aug. 11, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 63 mmmmmmmmmmmm KUO061\ ROTARY SOLE NOID Ottornogs Nov. 28, 1961 w. A. PFAFFPORTABLE MICROFILM CAMERA Original Filed Aug. 11, 1951 3% m'zzzm A.Pfaff 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 3nventor (Ittornegs Nov. 28, 1961 w. A. PFAFFPORTABLE MICROFILM CAMERA Original Filed Aug. 11, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 4n n a I I a m l 1 J n I a I I n I n m n u n n i n v u \\\REEE R\ 1 W. A.PFAFF Nov. 28, 1961 PORTABLE MICROFILM CAMERA Original Filed Aug. 11,1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 3nvent r Wi'ZZmm A. Pfaff M z M w Clttomegq Nov.28, 1961 PFAFF 3,010,361

PORTABLE MICROFILM CAMERA Original Filed Aug. 11, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Inventor (Ittomegs United States Patent C) 3,010,361 PORTABLE MICROFILMCAMERA William A. Pfaif, East Norwalk, Conn, assignor to Dieand thisapplication July 13, 1956, Ser. No. 600,647

1.1 Claims. (Cl. 88-24) g This invention relates to cameras and moreparticularly to cameras of the flow type in which feed mechanismadvances the subject material to be photographed into an illuminatedzone, and an optical system forms an image thereof upon a moving lightsensitive strip to produce thereon a photographic recording of thesubject material. In its more specific aspects this invention isconcerned with a microfilm camera of the flow type particularly of smallor portable size and constitutes a division of my copending applicationSerial No. 241,418, filed August 11, 1951, now Patent No. 2,771,816,granted November 27, 1956.

Microfilming cameras and film developing equipment are now extensivelyused by large corporations and organizations to record important orvaluable documents. These machines are rather large and expensive andthe volume of work done on them justifies the employment of personnelspecially trained in their use and operation.

There are many smaller concerns which have need for microfilrned recordsof documents and other material but Whose volume of work is notsufiicient to justify acquiring such expensive apparatus or hiringspecially trained persons to operate them. At the present time the onlyalternative which they have is to send their Work to be microfilrned toprofessionals or to have professionals bring in microfilming equipmentto photograph documents after a suflicicnt quantity has been accumulatedto justify the expense.

The present invention seeks to supply the needs of these smallerconcerns and organizations by providing a comparatively inexpensivemicrofilming camera which is so constructed and arranged that it can beoperated by ordinary office personnel without special or extensivetraining and to facilitate the insertion and removal of the photographicstrip and the shipping of the exposed strip for processing. 7

The camera of the present invention is advantageous not only to smallconcerns but also to larger concerns which for convenience may desireseveral cameras at different locations about the plant, or in branchofiices removed from the main plant or office.

To this end, the camera of the present invention is constructed andorganized so that it may be made small and light in weight and the partsare nested and fitted together so as to permit the desired degree ofreduction of the original work within the small compass of .the camera.The need for expensive and complicated timing mechanism is alsoobviated. The feed mechanism for the subject material or work is simpleand so conveniently arranged that the work enters one side of thecamera, is propelled across an illuminated area and projected from thecamera at the other side thereof. The

light sensitive strip which may be a transparent film is provided inmagazine form to be placed in the camera as a unit and has partscooperating with the parts in the camera so that the strip is fedcoordinately with the ice through slots and over sprockets as is thecase with professional cameras, the user of the camera of the presentinvention need merely thrust the magazine into the'carnera to preparefor recording and pull it from the camera when the recording has beencompleted. The optical system, including the lens, is contained in thecamera and has no component parts in or on the magazine. After the stripin the magazine is completely exposed, it may be mailed or otherwisedelivered to the manufacturer or other agancy to have the stripdeveloped.

The use of a magazine in a -microfilm camera has another importantadvantage in that documents of a class, checks for instance, may besegregated and recorded on thesame strip. When these have beenphotographed, the magazine may be taken from the camera and anothermagazine inserted in the camera to photograph documents'of another classor kind and this, may be done sporadically and alternately until eachspool is filled, there being no necessity of exposing the entire stripin the magazine before the magazine is removed. To protect the stripwhile it is out of the camera both I before it is exposed and after itis exposed in whole or in part, a suitable shutter arrangement isprovided on the magazine to close the aperture through which the stripis exposed.

While it has been stated that the primary purpose of this invention isto'provide alight weight, inexpensive, portable camera, many of thefeatures of the present invention are not limited to a portable cameraor in fact to a microfilm camera.

' Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear. In theaccompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a view in elevation showing the portable microfilm camera inits carrying case.

FIGURE 2 is a view in elevation showing the sections of the carryingcase in opened position for operation of the microfilmcamera.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the body portion of the portablemicrofilm camera of the. present invention, as it could be used withoutthe carrying case.

FIG. 4 is an electrical wiring diagram of the portable microfilm camera.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of the interior of thecamera with the front casing portion of the camera removed.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view in side elevation taken on the line 6-6of FIG. 5. I

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the same plane as FIG. 6 butshowing the material to be microfilrned passing through the camera andwith the shutter in its open position.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 ofFIG. 5, showing the driving means for the take-up spool of the filmmagazine.

FIG. 9 is a perspective drawing of the removable film magazine of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a view in end elevation showing the position of the magazinein its operating position in the camera.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in cross-section showing a modification ofthe film strip driving means.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view in cross-section taken the line 12-12 ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view in cross-section showing anothermodification of the film strip driving means.

7 FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing a shutter shieldand aperture covering mechanism which can be applied to the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is afragmentary view in side elevation, partly in cross-section,showing the shutter shield and aperture covering mechanism.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary plan view showing the shutter shield and theaperture covering mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing a modification of therotary solenoid mechanism for operating the lens shutter.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line lib-- 18 of FIG. 17showing the modified solenoid of FIG. 17 and the modified lens shutter.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS.1 and 2 of the drawings, the portable microfilm camera comprises acarrying case 20 somewhat generally resembling a portable radio in sizeand having two covering sections or compartments 21, 22 which are usedto enclose the main portion or body 23 of the camera when it is not inuse or being carried about. The sections 21, 22 are pivoted to the body23 of the camera by means of studs or pivot pins 24, 25 which protrudefrom the lower portion of the body 23, and whereon the easings 21, 22may be swung outwardly to open positions (somewhat like a piece ofluggage) when it is desired to use the camera.

As shown in FIG. 3, ventilating openings 28 are formed in the upperportion of the camera body 23 to provide for free access of air to andfrom the interior of the camera to prevent over-heating thereof. Theupper surface of the camera body 23 is provided with a hinged coverplate 29 closely conforming to the shape of the camera body and which isnormally maintained in closed condition by a detent device 33 or similarlocking means. This cover plate 29 may be opened upwardly to provide foraccess into the upper portion of the microfilm camera for purposes ofinspection, maintenance, replacement of parts, insertion or removing ofmagazines, etc.

An electrical connecting cord 37 of any conventional type is providedand connects the microfilm camera to a source of electrical currentwhereby the electrical elements of the camera may be operated.

In FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the pivot studs 24 and 25 and other relatedelements have been omitted, for the purposes of: clarity and to showthat the camera may be used as such without the enclosing sections 21,22 comprising the carrying case 20. Any objects such as knobs or controllevers which may protrude from the camera body may be set withinrecesses, as desired or required, when the camera body is to be carriedwithin the sections 21 and 22.

A carrying handle or grip 26 is secured to the upper portion of eitherone or both of the casings 21, 22 and provides a convenient means tocarry the camera to wherever it is to be moved and placed in use. Snapsor catches 27 of a conventional type are employed to lock the twosections 21, 22 together in closed condition to prevent accidentalopening thereof when not in use or during transit.

An arcuate slot 30 is formed in the lower portion of the casing 21 forcooperation with the pivot pin 24 and the curvature of this slot 30 issuch that the casing 21 is incapable of movement on the stud 24 when inclosed condition (FIG. 1) but may be swung outwardly and moved clear ofthe body 23 of the camera by merely releasing thecatch 27, when it isdesired or necessary to do so. Slots 3]. are provided at the other endof the section 21 whereby, after the section 21 has been removed fromthe body 23, it may be reversed or turned about and re-engaged with thebody 23 by entering the studs 24 in the slots 31 in the position shownin FIG. 2, which is the normal operating position of the camera.Suitable catches or detents (not shown) may be, used to lock the section21 in this position so that a firm structure is obtained to hold thecamera body 23 in an upright position.

It is to be observed that the flat outer surface 21 of the casing 21 isnow facing upwardly'and forms a delivery table whereon material to besent through the microfilm camera may be placed and held in readiness tobe microfilmed. Inasmuch as the lower corner of the camera body 23protrudes within the body portion of the casing 21 in thisconfiguration, a yielding angular flap 32 may be hingedly mounted on thecasing 21 as at 41 to form the corner thereof and to be capable ofyielding movement when the casing 23 enters that corner space to formthe configuration shown in FIG. 2.

When the camera body 23 and the casing 21 are separated, the angularflap 32 will immediately return to its original position as shown inFIG. 1. Catches or snaps could, of course, be used instead of aresilient spring mounting and would merely require some additionalmanual manipulation in the setting up and re-assembly of the camera.

An elongated opening 34 is formed in the lower portion of the casing 22for cooperation with the pivot pin 25 whereby the casing 22 may be swungoutwardly from the body 23 to the open position shown in FIG. 2. Asuitable catch or spring-pressed detent mounted on an arm 35 is arrangedon the body 23 and is adapted to cooperate with an opening 36 in thecasing 22 whereby it may be locked in the operating open position. It isto be observed that the casing 22 now forms a delivery receptacle ortrough shaped compartment to receive any material which has been sentthrough the microfilm camera.

A slot or entrance 39 is formed in the front wall of the camera body 23below a facing plate 38 and at the proper height so that material passedalong the surface 21 or along any similar table-like structure willnaturally enter the slot or entrance opening 39 for movement into andthrough the camera. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the opposite side or rearof the camera body 23 is cut away as at at] so that any materialadvanced through the camera will naturally exit therethrough and slideinto the delivery receptacle formed by the casing 22, or by any otherconvenient delivery opening or means positioned thereat.

A pair of positively driven feed rollers 42, 43 are located just withinthe entrance 39 and are so positioned that any material M inserted intothe entrance 39 will enter the bite between the rollers 42, 43 and willbe advanced in positive fashion through the body of the microfilmcamera. As best shown in FIG. 7, the material M is advanced by thefeeding rollers 42, 43 through a zone Z wherein it is momentarilyunsupported by any structure before ending its flight in the deliveryreceptacle formed by casing 22.

As shown in FIG. 5, the upper feed roller 42 is generally cylindricallyshaped and extends across substantially the full width of the camerabody 23 and is received within bearings (not shown) in the end wallsthereof. Narrow annular rubber bodies or rings 47 are positioned atintervals along the peripheral surface of the cylindrical feed roller 42and increase the gripping properties of the roller on any material Mpassing through the camera. The feed roller 42 is adapted to be drivenat a constant speed by a synchronous motor 48 by means of anyintervening mechanical linkages. For purposes of illustration, this hasbeen shown as a cooperating pulley 49 mounted on the motor shaft 54? anda V or power belt 51 which is trained around the pulley 4-9 and the feedroller 4-2 whereby it is driven. If desired, any speed re ductionmechanism may be used to obtain the required roller rotation.

The lower feed roller 43 similarly is generally cylindrically shaped andextends across substantially the full width of the camera body 23 and isreceived within arms 55 of floating bearings 54, as shown in FIGS. 6 and7. The arms 55 are pivotally mounted on fixed studs 56 fixed in thecamera body and thus provide for pivotal movement of the lower feedrollers 43 toward or away from the upper feed rollers 42. A helicaltension spring S7 is coiled around the stud 56 and has one end thereoffixedly secured within an opening in the wall of the camera body and hasits other end wrapped under the arm 55, whereby the arm will tend torotate upwardly in a clockwise direction to press the lower roller 43resiliently up against the upper roller 42. Annular rubber members 58are mounted at intervals along the peripheral surface of the lower feedroller 43 for frictional driving contact with the upper feed roller 42.7

Consideration of FIG. will also reveal that the outermost peripheralsurfaces of the annular iubbermembers 47, 58 radially overlap each otherto some degree whereby any material inserted between the feed rollerswill tend to assume a slightly corrugated or undulating configurationwhich extends longitudinally of the moving copy or subject sheet. Such acorrugated shape will stiffen the material to cause it to extend'in astraight line after it has passed through the feed rollers and aids incarrying the material through the zone Z Without undue curving orsagging thereof. As a result, merely a single pair of feed rollers isrequired to propel the material through thecamera.

A mounting bracket 60 is secured to the opposite inner surface of therear Wall of the camera body and has an angularly upturned frontdeflecting undersurface 61 which naturally serves to guide and directthe material M toward the opening at exit 48.

According to the present invention, the motor 48 and feed rollers 42and43 operate whilethe camera is in use. Hence, documents or other materialM may be passed at any time into the aperture 39 at one side of thecamera and will be immediately gripped by the opposed feed rollers 42,,43, drawn into the camera, propelled through zone Z and discharged fromthe other side of the camera.

Inasmuch as the material M is to be microfilmed during its passagethrough the camera, it is necessary that it be subjected to sufficienteven illumination in zone Z so that a satisfactory image thereof maybeformed and recorded on the microfilm or other light sensitive material.For this purpose, a bank of lamp bulbs 63 mounted on a bracket 62 abovethe zone Z illuminates the material M passing through that zone. Asshown, these bulbs 63 are connected in series and are 12-l6 volt l5 cp.such as employed as taillights in vehicles using a 12 volt electricalsystem. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 5, there are elevenbulbs in series which would thus create a voltage drop across each bulbof approximately 10 voltsfor a standard 110 volt electrical system,whereas the bulb is designed to take 12-16 volts. One advantage of usingsuch an arrangement is that a greater useful life may be expected of thelamp bulbs inasmuch as a voltage lower than that for which the bulbswere originally designed is being impressed across their terminals. Anadvantage accruing from the use of a series arrangement is that thefailure of any one bulb will cause the entire line to go out which willimmediately call the-attention of the operator to the fact that a bulbhas blown and needs replacement. If the bulbs were in parallel, thefailure of any one bulb might not aflect the operation of the camerasufficiently to warn the operator with the result that the failure ofthe bulb could go unnoticed for quite a while during which time theillumination would not be even and may not be suiiicient, wherebyunsatisfactory microfilming results may be, obtained. Spare lamp bulbs63 may be provided in a bracket in the camera body.

Reflectors 64 maybe mounted on each side of the lamp bulbs 63 to directthe light downwardly into the zone Z and also to prevent the escape ofstray light into the upper portion of the camera or to parts of theoptical system which should be shielded from such undesirable light. I

The optical system for forming the image ofthe materlal M on a lightsensitive strip S is shown in FIG. 7. The image of the particularportion of the material M being recorded at the time lies in portion Zof zone Z second light reflecting surface or mirror 66 from which it isreflected upwardly in zigzag fashion to finally pass through a pair oflenses 67 secured in a light tube or lens mounting carried in theframework of the camera body 23. After passing through the lenses 67,the path of the image passes through a narrow slit or aperture 70 in themounting carrying the lenses 67 and is then formed and photographicallyrecorded on the strip S.

Adjustability of the light reflecting surfaces 65 and 66 is provided forby mounting them on brackets 71 and 60 secured to the camera body 23.Inasmuch as the adjustment is similar for both brackets, only theadjustment of bracket 60 will be described in detail. A flexible plate72 is fixed at one end thereof to the bracket 60 by a screw 74 and isadjustably secured at the other end thereof to the bracket 60 by anadjusting screw 76 which fits into a nut 75 secured to the flexibleplate 72. Movement of the adjusting screw 76 will cause the flexibleplate 72 to assume different angles with respect to the bracket 66whereby the direction of the folded zigzag path of the projected imageof the material may be varied within limits, as desired or necessary.

The dot-dash lines shown in FIG. 7 indicate the field of the lenses 67of the camera and it will be noted how only the portion of the materialM passing through the space Z will be photographically recorded on thestrip S of light sensitive material.

The present invention provides means of adjustment whereby materialhaving different light reflecting characteristics may be microfilrned toyield consistently satisfactory results. Heretofore, in photography,this was done by varying the shutter opening, increasing or decreasingthe time of exposure, changing the illumination, etc. According to thepresent invention, it has been accomplished by the varying of the timeof exposure of the material to the light sensitive strip by varying theeffective length of the portion Z of zone Z which represents thetime-equivalent of exposure of any given portion of the material M. Inother words, the time required for any particular point or portion onthe material M to pass completely through the length Z equals the timeof exposure of that point or pontion to the moving strip S.

The increasing or decreasing of the eflective portion Z is accomplishedby providing a gate positionable more or less across the optical path ofthe image. In the form shown, a pivotally mounted rod 77' carries a pairof flanged wing members 78, 78 and a control lever which extendsforwardly from the rod and through a notched opening 31 formed in thefront surface of the camera body, as shown in FIG. 3. The front portionof the lever all is formed with a handle 79 and has a crosssectionimmediately to its rear to fit within the notches of the opening 81,whereby the lever 80 may be moved to any desired position and heldtherein by the frictional locking action with the notched opening 81.

Consideration of FIG. 7 will reveal that, when the rod '77 is rotated ina clockwise direction, for example, the lower flange or wing member 78will move into the right side of the path between the zone Z and thereflector 65, g

and cut ofl one margin portion. At the same time, the upper wing member78 will move into the image between the reflectors 65 and 66 and cut offthe other margin portion. A

It will thus be appreciated that the rod 77 and the wing members 78, 78possess a double action whereby the path of the image is cut downsimultaneously from both sides. As a result, it is not necessary thatthe rod 77 be rotated through "a very great angle nor that the wingmembers 78, 78 be of very great length in order to substantially reducethe length of the portion Z.

A shutter 83 is provided and is capable of being positioned, as shown inFIG. 6, to effectively intercept the path of the image of the movingmaterial M and prevent its formation on the light sensitive strip S. Theshutter 83 is also capable of rotation to a position, such as shown inFIG. 7, wherein it isiueifective as an intercepting means for the pathof the image and permits its photographic recording on the lightsensitive strip S.

As shown in FIG. 5, the shutter $3 comprises a U-shaped bracket mountedon a rotatable collar or shaft 86 and has an upper arm 84 and a lowerarm 85. As shown, the upper arm 84 and the lower arm 85 are straight andformed from rectangular strip stock but such is merely for the purposeof illustration and it is to be understood that other forms could bepossible. For example, the arms could be arcuate in cross-section andform arcs of circles with the axis of the rotatable collar 86 forming acenter. It is merely necessary that the shutter arms sweep in pathseffective to intercept the scope of the optical system and to preventthe projection on the strip 5 of undesirable light or images.

Consideration of FIG. 5 will reveal that the lower arm 85 is positionedat a greater distance from the axis of the collar 86 than the upper arm8 This is due to the fact that the path of the projected image isdivergent and is wider where it is intercepted by the lower arm 85 thanwhere it is intercepted by the upper arm 84. As a consequence, the lowerarm 85 has to sweep through a longer peripheral distance and this isaccomplished by making its radius arm to the axis of collar as longerthan the radius arm of the upper arm 84.

Inasmuch as it is desired to expose the strip S substantially only whenmaterial M is in position to be photographed, the shutter 83 is normallyin the position shown in FIG. 6, in which it blocks any light whichcould fall upon the lenses 67. As soon as the material M is placedbetween the bite of the feed rollers 42. and 43, a pair of curved triplevers or feelers 83 which are mounted on a rotatable shaft 90 locatedadjacent and parallel to the lower feed roller 43 are depressed therebyto rotate the shaft 90 and to rotate a control arm or lever 91 mountedon the shaft 90. The normal position of the control lever 91 is as shownin FIG. 6, in which its upper portion merely rests lightly andineifectually against one of a pair of contact members 92, 93.

When the control lever 91 is rotated in a clockwise direction, such aswhen a moving strip of light sensitive material enters between the biteof the feed rollers 42, 43,

the contact members 92, 93 will be pressed into a closed circuitcondition, as shown in FIG. 7, and will energize a rotary solenoid 95which will rot-ate the collar 86 to turn the upper and lower arms of theshutter to the open position. A return spring 69 is secured to a studprojecting from a plate on the rotary solenoid 95 and is capable ofreturning the solenoid to its original effective image interceptingposition shown in FIG. 6 when the solenoid is de-energized.

The wiring diagram for the contact members 92, 93 and the rotarysolenoid 95 is shown in FIG. 4. A line switch 62 is provided and may bea toggle switch mounted on the front face of the camera body for ease ofoperation by the user of the camera. This switch is closed manually whenit is desired to use the camera. A strip magazine switch 87 is providedand merely comprises an arm 89 extending from a strip magazine 120, asshown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and is so positioned as to close the contacts94', 96 of the strip magazine switch only when the magazine is insertedin the camera in its proper position. This arm 89 extends within thestrip magazine 120 and rests against the side of the rolled strip S on adelivery or supply spool 122 whereby it is held close to the inner wallof'the magazine 120. The external portion of the arm 89 will thus beheld well away from the outer surface of the magazine 120 and will keepthe contacts 94, 96 in closed condition as long as the outer portion ofthe arm 89 is urged outwardly by the presence of sufiicient rolled stripmaterial on the supply spool 122.

When the supply of strip S is substantially exhausted on the supplyspool 122;, the inner portion of the arm 89 will yield inwardly wherebythe outer portion will also move inwardly to permit the magazine switch87 to open and to stop the feed rollers 42, 43 and the operation of thecamera. This immediately prevents the feeding of additional subjectmaterial M into the camera and the operation cannot be resumed until anew magazine replaces the exhausted magazine and the strip magazineswitch contacts 94 and 96 are again closed.

When the trip switch contact members 92, 93 are closed, a current flowsthrough the rotary solenoid and the time required to build up sufiicientcharge to operate the same and to move and rotate the solenoid core(which is an extension of shaft 86) is suflicient to permit the material M to move from its initial position between the bite of the rollers42, 43 to a point wherein it is entering the space Z by the time theshutter 83 has opened. As the material M continues through the camera,the trip lever 88 remains depressed until the trailing edge of thematerial permits the trip lever to be raised to open the trip switchcontacts 92, 93. When this is done, the current passing through therotary solenoid 95 falls olf but is delayed sufficiently by condenser103 and rheostat 104 in its circuit, so that the shutter will not beclosed by the rotary solenoid 95 until the trailing edge of the materialM has cleared the space Z. Inasmuch as the rheostat 194 is variable, thetime of delay for the closing of the shutter may be adjustably selectedas desired by the operator by means of an adjusting screw whereby theshutter may remain open momentarily after the material M has passedbeyond the space Z so as to provide a narrow separating space or gapbetween adjacent recordings on the strip S, which may be varied inwidth, as desired by the operator, depending on the circumstances of theparticular situation.

Thus, it is seen that the movement of the material M is directlysynchronized with the opening and closing of the shutter 83 whereby theshutter will be closed whenever there is no material being passedthrough the camera in position to be microiilrned. Whenever material isbeing passed through the camera, the shutter will be opened incoordination with the movement of the material M, whereby the path ofthe projected image of the material M passes through the lenses duringthe time that the material is in the space Z, that is, in its properposition to be microfilmed.

It is also necessay to synchronize the opening of the shutter 83 incoordinate relationship to the movement of the strip S as well as to themovement of the material M. This is accomplished by the followingmechanism. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a bell crank lever 97 is pivoted ona stud 98 and has a depending arm 99 in normal pressing contact with therotatable shaft 86 of the solenoid and shutter mechanism. One portion ofthe rotatable shaft 86 is flattened so as to cooperate with the depending arm 99. As shown in FIG. 6, the lowermost portion of the dependingarm 99 is substantially vertical and a second extending arm 10d of thebell crank lever 97 is substantially horizontal and extends forwardlyfrom the pivot stud 98.

Astrip driving roller 101 is mounted on the end of a shaft 197 mountedin bearings in the horizontally extending arm 1th) and is normally insuch position as to be out of effective driving contact with the stripS. As seen in FIG. 5, the shaft 107 extends to a position immediatelyadjacent the motor drive shaft 50 and is continuously driven therebythrough a power belt 117 which is guided around pulleys 118, 119 mountedon the motor drive shaft 50 and the driving roller shaft 107,respectively. A bearing 1-21 is provided at the drive pulley end of thedriving roller shaft 107 which provides a loose mounting therefor sothat the other end of the shaft which carries the driving roller 161 maybe raised or lowered by the action of the bell crank lever 97 tofrictionally contact or be free of the strip S.

Upon the rotary solenoid 95 becoming energized to rotate the shaft 86,the vertically depending arm 99 contacting the flat portion of the shaftwill be rotated on its pivot 98 and will move to the left, as seen inFIG. 7, to

cause a rotation of the bell crank 97 in a clockwise direction to raisedriving roller 101 into effective frictional driving engagement with thestrip S. The driving roller 101 presses the strips frictionally againsttwo backing rollers 102 which rotate on shafts fixed within the magazinecasing. This will bring about a firm frictional engagement between thedriving roller 101 and the strip S, whereby the strip will be driven.When the solenoid 95 is de-energized, the driving roller 101 will dropaway from the strip and its driving engagement therewith will be ended.

The strip S will thus be driven in position fashion by the drivingroller 101 only when the rotatable collar or shaft 86 carrying theshutter 83 is rotated to its operative open position. In this way, themovement of the material M causes the rotary solenoid to becomeenergized which coordinately rotates and opens the shutter and at thesame time raises the driving roller to drive the strip S.

The strip driving roller 101 is positioned beyond the slit or aperture70 through which the projected image of the material M passes andactually draws the film across the aperture from the supply or deliveryspool 122. A resilient pad or presser foot 105 is located directly abovethe strip S over the aperture 70 and resiliently presses and guides thestrip thereat.

In order to prevent the formation of slack in the strip S after it haspassed the strip driving roller, it is necessary to provide a positivelydriven take-up spool 106.

As shown in FIGS. and 8, a second or take-up driving roller 1108 isloosely mounted on the same shaft 107 upon which the strip drivingroller 101 is mounted. When the driving roller 101 is raised, thetake-up driving roller 8 will be simultaneously raised and will contacta large driving wheel 110 which is mounted in resilient sliding fashionupon the frame of the camera body 23 adjacent the magazine.

The operation of the take-up means is best shown in FIG. 8 wherein thetake-up driving roller 108 is shown in driving engagement with the largedriving wheel 110. The large driving wheel 110 is in direct frictionaldriving engagement with a take-up wheel 113 which is fixedly mounted onthe same shaft upon which the take-up spool 106 within the magazine ismounted, whereby thetake up spool 106 will be driven.

A comparison of the diameters of the strip driving roller 101 and thetake-up driving roller 1 08, as shown in FIG. 5, will show that the takeroller 108 is slightly larger which will cause it and all subsequentlydriven rollers to tend to be overdriven and to rotate with greaterperipheral speeds than the strip driving roller 101. A

slipping clutch arrangement is provided on shaft 107 and comprises abearing 124 fixed to shaft 107 and rotatable therewith and a pressurespring 125 abutting against the bearing 124 toexert force through aclutching arrangement to bring sufficient resilient pressure to bear onthe take-up driving roller 108 so that it is slippingly driven andmerely tends to overdrive the take-up roller whereby any tendency tocreate slackis defeated.

When the vertically depending arm 99 of the bell crank 97 is moved byrotation of the shaft 86, it will raise the take-up driving roller 108upwardly to contact the large driving wheel 110 to drive the take-upwheel 113 and take-up spool 106.

A projecting arm or lug 126; FIG. 8, is formed out of a portion of theframework of the camera body and is in such a position as to contact thelarge driving wheel 110 when the shaft 107 is dropped downwardly to dropthe take-up driving roller 108. When the large driving wheelrlll) dropsand contacts the arm 126, a braking action is immediately instituted andany tendency to overroll is check. This effectively prevents film fromunwinding from the take-up spool. If desired, any other type of brakemay be employed to prevent this undesirable tendency to unwind.

The film magazine 120 is manually insertable in and removable from thecamera body 23 and is retained in position therein by a spring flex 123secured to the underside of the hinged plate 29.- The magazine isremoved by raising the hinged plate 29 and merely lifting out themagazine which naturally rests upon the flanged bracket 71. Inasmuch asa positive driving relationship must be maintained between the take-upwheel 113 mounted on I the magazine and the large driving wheel mountedon the frame of the camera body 23, a resilient mounting is provided forthe large driving wheel, as shown in FIG. 8. The large driving wheel 110is mounted upon one end of a bifurcated lever 112, the legs of which areslidably received on a fixed stud 114. A spring 116 is secured to a lugmounted on the fixed stud 114 and is attached to the opposite end of thebifurcated lever 112 and tends to pull the large driving wheel in thedirection of the stud 114, so that the normal position of the largedriving wheel 110 will be as far to the right as possible, in FIG. 8.When the magazine is inserted downwardly into the camera body, thetake-up wheel 113 mounted on the magazine will contact the lange drivingwheel 110 and urge it downwardly and to the left against the action ofthe tension spring 116 whereby a strong frictional driving engagement isobtained.

As shown in FIG. 15, an improved manner of inserting the film magazineis shown wherein the magazine 120 may be guided into position by a slideplate which has a spring flex 1'41 mounted on its lower end. This springflex 1'41 urges the lower portionof the magazine 120 to its proper lowerleft position, as viewed in FIG. 15, and, when the upper portion of themagazine 120 is manually guided to the left, it is held in that positionby a spring flex which snaps into a holding recess 148 on .the magazine120 and maintains it in proper position. The removal of the magazinetakes place in similar fashion but in reversed manner, of course. Thetop of the magazine is first moved to the right until it is clear of thesnap catch 145 and contacts the guide plate 140. Then, it may bemanually removed from the camera body.

The film magazine 120 is illustrated in FIG. 9 and the relative locatingof apertures 127 and 129 is to be noted. The aperture 127 prow'des forthe driving mechanism of the camera to contact the stripto drive it,Whereas the aperture 129 provides for the projection on the strip of theminified image of the material passing through the camera.

Inasmuch as the apertures must be open during the operation of thecamera and must be covered when the magazine case is removed from thecamera, an aperture shield 153 must be provided which is capable of movement automatically between an open and a covered position when the caseis inserted in or removed from the camera.

As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the hinged plate cover 29 is provided withdepending bracket 142- and pivot stud 144 for freely and rotatablymounting an operating lever 143 thereon. The lower part of the operatinglever 143 is providedwith a pivotal stud 146, the end of which isreceived slidably within a guide slot 147 in the framework of thecamera. When the hinged cover 29 is raised to its upright open position,as shown in dot-dash outline inFIG. 14, the operating lever 143 willcorrespondingly be raised and drawn to the left whereby the stud 146will move from the right-hand end of the slot 147 to the lefthand endthereof. When the hinged cover 29 is lowered to its closed position, asshown in the dotted outline in FIG. 14, the operating lever stud 146 isreturned to its lower right-hand end of the slot 147.

An angular arm 149 of the operating lever 143 extends under the magazinecase 120 and possesses an upstanding stud 150 capable of penetrating aslot 152 in the bottom I which leaves the inner wall imperforate andlight sealing. The slot I52 is formed in the outer wall of the bottom ofthe case and the stud 150 is capable of guided sliding motion therein asactuated by the movements of the arm 149 and the operating lever 143.

The shield 153 comprises a strip of flexible material capable of fittingbetween the walls of the double-walled bottom of the case and slidingtherein. A slot 155 is formed in the shield 153 and is so arranged as tolie across the slot 152 of the outer bottom wall of the casing and to bepenetrated by the upwardly extending stud 150 of the opera-ting lever14-3. It will therefore be appreciated that the to-and-fro motion of theoperating lever stud 146 in the camera slot 147 and a correspondingmovement of the stud 150 in the magazine slot 152 will move the shield15?: to-and-fro from the open aperture position shown in FIGS. 14 and 16when the camera cover plate 29 is down, to a closed aperture positionwhen the camera cover plate 29 is up.

in such a way, the apertures for the lens aid the driving roller in themagazine will be automatically uncovered and opened whenever the cover29 is lowered for operation of the camera and wi l be automaticallycovered and closed whenever the cover 29 is raised for removal of themagazine.

Whenever a fresh magazine is to be inserted in the camera, its shield153 should be in the closed or covered position and the stud 150 willnaturally enter the opening 155 of the shield and will be in readinessto uncover the apertures when the hinged cover 29 is lowered.

A more compact mechanism is disclosed in FIGS. 17 and 18 for theoperation of the shutter movement. A rotary solenoid 95 is used but isso positioned that the plane of rotation of the shutter member 83' ishorizontal. It will be readily apparent that energization of thesolenoid 95 will cause a rapid rotation of the shutter 83 from theposition shown in 1G. 18, wherein it covers the aperture for the cameralens to an open posit-ion wherein the lens will be open for thereception of the projection of the image of the material to bemicrofilmed.-

A slightly different arrangement is provided to coordinate the raisingof the strip driving roller 101 with the opening of the shutter. Such anarrangement comprises an annular cam 156 which is mounted on a coverportion 157 of the rotary solenoid 95' so as to be rotated insynchronism with the shutter $3. Movement of the annular cam 156 willcause a cam follower or roller 158 to be correspondingly raised and tourge the strip driving roller 101 into frictional driving contact withthe strip S. It is to be noted that the strip driving roller 161 ismounted on the end of a constantly rotating shaft 107' and that adriving roller 1% and a spring pressed clutch 124', 125 are similarlyprovided to drive the take-up roller in an overdrive relationship invery much the same manner as that set forth in FIG. 8.

A modification of the mechanism whereby the film strip may be drivenintermittently in coordinated relationship with the movement of materialinto the camera and the rotation of the intercepting shutter is shown inFIGS. 11 and 12 wherein solenoid 95 is shown in de-energized position.Upon the energization of solenoid 95v in the usual way by the entranceof material into the camera to be microfilmed, the shaft 86 rotates andcauses rotation of a bell crank lever 97 having a vertically dependingarm 99' and a pair of horizontally extending arms 1%. The bell crank 97pivots on a stud or shaft 109 and is urged counterclockwise against theaction of a tension spring 111 by the rotation of the shaft 86 whichpresses against the vertically depending arm 99.

In this particular type of mechanism, the strip driving roller 101 ismounted on a shaft 107' which is received in relatively unyieldingbearings and rotates on a fixed axis. The two arms extend adjacent thestrip S and contact its undersurface which is resiliently backed up by aSpring flex 128 which normally tends to press the 12 strip 8 against thestrip driving roller 101 in frictional driving engagement therewith.Energization of the solenoid causes the arms 190' to be lowered wherebyfrictional driving engagement is established and the strip S is advancedpast the lens aperture 129.

Upward movement of the arms 1% caused by the dcenergization of thesolenoid as and the action of spring 111, will raise the spring flex 128to destroy the frie tional contact between the strip S and the stripdriving roller 101, and the strip will immediately cease its forwardmotion. A strip guide and roller device 130 is also provided in themagazine 12%) to guide the strip close to the apertures 127, 129 in themagazine 120.

Another modification of the mechanism whereby the film strip may beintermittently driven in coordinated relationship with the movement ofmaterial into the camera and the rotation of the shutter is shown inFIG. 13. In this modification, the driving power is supplied by arotatable pulley wheel 132 cooperating with a large driven pulley wheel133 which is secured on a movable shaft 134 mounted in a pivotallymounted extending arm or swivel 135 and capable of a slight verticalmovement. A power belt 136 is trained over the pulley wheel 132 and thelarge pulley wheel 133 whereby a driving relationship is established. Astrip contacting and driving roller 161 is also fixedly mounted on theshaft 134 and is in a position normally clear of the strip S so as to beincapable of driving the same.

A solenoid 137, which is coordinated with the rotary solenoid 95 isarranged above the lever 135 and is secured to it by a connecting rod138 secured to the core 139 of the solenoid 137. When the solenoid 137is energized, it will draw the connecting rod 138 upwardly to raiselever 135 and strip driving roller 101 whereby the strip will be driventhrough the action of the spring flex 128 and the strip driving roller101.

The solenoids 137 and 95 may be actuated simultaneously or may beoperated in sequence in any desired time relationship whereby theopening of the shutter may be coordinated to the moving of the strip andto the entrance of material into the camera.

Other variations and modifications may be made within the scope of theclaims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A portable microfilm camera having a box-like casing; means forming acompartment in the upper end of the casing for removably supporting amagazine containing a strip of light sensitive material; a light tubehaving a closed end formed with a strip exposing aperture thereinprojecting into said compartment and into the magazine when supportedtherein for engagement of theclosed end with the strip; strip advancingmeans movably mounted for projecting into and out of said compartmentadjacent an aperture in the magazine to engage and feed the strip; anoptical system in said casing below said compartment including a sourceof light and a lens mounted in the light tube a selected distance fromthe closed end to thereby maintain the lens a determinate distance fromthe strip of light-sensitive material engageable with the closed end ofthe light tube; reflectors providing a zigzag light path leading to anilluminated zone at the bottom of the casing; and means at the bottom ofthe casing for propelling a subject sheet to be microfilmed across theilluminated zone.

2. A microfilm camera having a casing; means forming a compartment inthe casing for removably supporting a magazine containing a strip oflight sensitive material; a light tube having a closed end formed with astrip exposing aperture therein projecting into said compartment andinto the magazine when supported therein for engagement of the closedend with the strip; strip advancing means movably mounted for projectinginto and out of said compartment adjacent an aperture in the magazine toengage and feed the strip; an optical system in said casing including asource of light providing an Illuminated zone in the casing; means inthe casing and El. lens mounted in the light tube a selected distancefrom the closed end to thereby maintain the lens a determinate distancefrom the strip of light-sensitive material engageable with the closedend of the light tube for propelling a subject sheet to bemicrofilrnedacross the illuminated zone; and means for clamping themagazine in the compartment to relatively move the magazine and thelight tube to cause the light tube closed end to project into themagazine. a

3. A portable microfilm camera having a box-like casing; a partitionforming a compartment in the upper end of the casing for removablysupporting a magazine containing a strip of light sensitive material; alight tube having a closed end formed with a strip exposing aperturetherein projecting into said compartment and into the magazine whensupported therein for'engagement of the closed end with the strip;movable advancing means for engaging said strip in said magazine; anoptical system in said casing below said compartment (for engagement ofthe closed end with the strip including a source of light and a lensmounted in the light tube a'selected distance from the closed end tothereby maintain the lens a determinate distance from the strip oflight-sensitive material engageable with the closed end of the lighttube; reflectors providing a zigzag light path leading to an illuminatedzone at the bottom of the casing; means at the bottom of the casing forpropelling a subjectsheet to be microfilmed across the illuminated zone;and means for clamping the magazine in the compartment to relativelymove the magazine and the light tube to cause the light tube closed endto project into the magazine.

4. A microfilm camera having a casing; means :forming a compartment inthe casing for removably supporting a magazine containing a strip oflight sensitive material; a light tube having a closed end formed with astrip exposing aperture therein projecting into said compartment andinto the magazine when supported therein for engagement of the closedend with the strip; movable advancing means for engaging said strip insaid magazine; an optical system in said casing including a source oflight providing an illuminated zone in the casing and a lens mounted inthe light tube a selected distance from the closed end to therebymaintain the lens a determinate distance from the strip oflight-sensitive material engageable with the closed end of the lighttube; and means in the casing for propelling a subject sheet to bemicrofilmed through the illuminated zone.

5. In a flow type microfilm camera wherein the length of material to bemicrofilmed determines the size of the image and wherein the length ofthe gap between consecutive images may be adjusted, a magazinecontaining a strip or" light sensitive material and removably mounted insaid camera, strip advancing means normally out of contact with saidstrip and movably mounted therein to engage said strip when an image isbeing recorded, means causing relative movement between said stripadvancing means and the strip, whereby the strip advancing meansfrictionally engages and advances the strip within the magazine duringthe recording of an image thereon, and means for continuing thefrictional driving engagement between the strip and the strip advancingmeans after the recording of an image, said last named means beingadjustable to vary the frictional driving engagement to provide foradjusting the width of the gap between record-- ings of consecutiveimages.

6. in a flow type microfilm camera wherein the length of material to bemicrofilmed determines the size of the image and wherein the length ofthe gap between consecutive images may be adjusted, means to advancematerial to be microfilmed through an illuminated zone, film advancingmeans comprising a continuously rotating roller normally out ofengagement with the film and movably mounted therein for engaging saidstrip to frictionally move same, mechanical means actuated bythe'advancement of material through the illuminated zone of the camerato move said film advancing means into engagement with the film toadvance the same in coordination with the advancement of the material tobe mierofilmed, and means for continuing the frictional drivingengagement between the strip and the roller after the recording of animage, said last named means being adjustable to vary the frictionaldriving engagement to provide for adjusting the width of the gap betweenrecordings of consecutive images.

7. A microfilm flow camera having a readily insertable and removablemagazine containing a strip of lightsensitive material on which torecord an image, said magazine having an exposure opening for exposingsaid strip, a lens mounting means mounted within said camera, said lensmounting means comprising an upper end portion having an exposureaperture formed therein, said upper portion containing said exposureaperture extending into said exposure opening to engage said strip whensaid magazine is inserted in said camera and a lens mounted in the meansa selected distance from the upper end portion to thereby maintain thelens a determinate distance from the strip of light-sensitive materialengageable with the upper end portion, said magazine having a secondopening spaced from said exposure opening, back-up means adjacent saidsecond opening to engage said strip adjacent said second opening, stripdriving means including a continuously rotating friction driving rollermovably mounted in said camera, and actuating means for moving saidroller into and out of said second opening, said roller cooperating withsaid back-up means to frictionally advance said strip when said rolleris extended into said opening and said roller being disengaged from saidstrip when moved away from said second opening.

8. In combination with a microfilm flow camera having an illuminatedzone, a shutter, an optical system to reflect a minified image andmeansto propel a subject material through said zone, the improvement ofa magazine insertable and removable from the camera for supplying alight-sensitive strip on whichto record an image, said magazine havingan exposure opening adapted to expose said strip, said optical systemincluding a lens mounting means comprising an upperportion having anexposure aperture therein, said upper portion containing said exposureaperture extending into said exposure opening so as to be in engagementwith said strip when said magazine is inserted in said camera, saidmagazine having a second opening and cooperating means to advance saidstrip, said cooperating advancing means inincluding a continuouslyrotating friction drive roller movably mounted in said camera and aback-up means mounted in said magazine adjacent'said second opening,actuating means responsive to the operation of said shutter fior movingsaid roller into and out of said second opening, said roller cooperatingwith said back-up means to frictionally advance said strip when saidroller is extended into said opening to engage said strip and saidroller being disengaged from said strip when moved out of said secondopening.

9. In combination with a microfilrning flow camera I having anilluminated zone, a shutter, an optical system to reflect a minifiedimage and means to propel a subject material through said zone, theimprovement of a magazine insertable and removable from the camera forsupplying a light-sensitive strip on which to record an image, saidmagazine having an exposure opening adapted to expose said strip, saidoptical system including a lens mounting means comprising an upperportion having an exposure aperture therein, said upper portioncontaining said exposure aperture extending into said exposure openingso as to be in engagement with said strip when said magazine is insertedin said camera, said magazine having a second opening, cooperating meansto advance said strip, said cooperating advancing means including acontinuously rotating friction drive roller movably mounted in saidcamera and a back-up means mounted in said magazine adjacent said secondopening, actuating means responsive to the operation of said shutter formoving said roller into and out of said second opening, said rollercooperating with said back-up means to frictionally advance said stripwhen said roller is extended into said opening to engage said strip andsaid roller being disengaged from said strip when moved out of saidsecond opening and said camera and magazine having cooperating take-upmeans for positively preventing formation of slack in said strip aftersaid strip has moved beyond said cooperating strip advancing means.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said cooperating take-upmeans includes a magazine take-up spool in direct driving relationshipwith a take-up means located on an exterior portion of said magazine, adriving wheel mounted in said camera adjacent said magazine, saiddriving wheel being in driving connection with said take-up means, and anormally inoperative continuously rotating roller means movably mountedin said camera, said roller means being adapted to engage said drivingwheel to operate said take-up means and connected take-up spool inresponse to the operation of said shutter.

11. A microfilm camera comprising an illuminating zone, means forpropelling a subject material through the zone, a light tube having anopening and a closed end formed with an exposure aperture, means fordirecting reflected light from the subject material to the opening, alens in said light tube spaced a determinate distance from the closedend, a compartment formed in said camera and having an entrance throughwhich the closed end of the light tube is projectable, a magazine insaid compartment containing a strip of light-sensitive material andformed to have an opening therein, means for clamping the magazine inthe compartment to relatively move the magazine and light tube to causethe closed end of the light tube to enter the opening in the magazine toengage the strip to space the lens the selected distance from the strip,and means to move the strip.

References Cited in the fiie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,914,214 Porter June 13, 1933 1,935,210 Hopkins Nov. 14, 1933 2,175,538'Morsbach Oct. 10, 1939 2,326,654 v Iagust Aug. 10, 1943 2,455,187 OwensNov. 30, 1948 2,472,931 Yohn June 14, 1949 2,478,980 Pratt et al. Aug.16, 1949 2,537,529 Hessert et al. Jan. 9, 1951

